A Windows PC runs Windows 11 with as little as 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage, but Microsoft reserves its newest on-device AI features for "Copilot+ PCs," which need a neural processing unit (NPU) rated at 40 or more trillion operations per second (TOPS), 16 GB of RAM, and a 256 GB drive. Which AI software a PC can run well therefore depends first on the hardware, and any older software list needs checking against these requirements. The figures below come from Microsoft's published specifications, read on October 27, 2026.
Key takeaways
- Windows 11 minimums are a 1 GHz processor with two or more cores, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, UEFI with Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0.
- Copilot+ PCs add an NPU of 40+ TOPS, 16 GB of DDR5 or LPDDR5 RAM, and a 256 GB SSD or UFS drive.
- A PC with a fast NPU but less than 16 GB of RAM or smaller storage is not a Copilot+ PC, though it still supports Windows 11 and can run AI workloads locally.
- Recall, a Copilot+ feature, is off by default and stores encrypted snapshots on the device.
- Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, with paid or conditional security updates for consumers until October 12, 2027.
Two hardware tiers on one operating system
Microsoft's Windows 11 specifications page lists the baseline for every Windows 11 PC and a stricter list for Copilot+ PCs. The Copilot+ requirements are in addition to the baseline.
| Component | Windows 11 minimum | Added for Copilot+ PC |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 1 GHz or faster, two or more cores, 64-bit | An NPU capable of 40+ TOPS |
| Memory | 4 GB | 16 GB DDR5 or LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 64 GB or larger | 256 GB SSD or UFS |
| Security | UEFI with Secure Boot, TPM 2.0 | No separate item listed |
| Graphics | DirectX 12 or later with a WDDM 2.0 driver | No separate item listed |
The processor families named for Copilot+ on the page are AMD Ryzen AI 300 and 400 series, Intel Core Ultra 200V and 300V series, and Snapdragon X series. That list has changed since the category was introduced, so the current page is the one to check before buying.
Which features need the extra hardware
The specifications page separates features by what they require. Paint's Object select, Photos' Super resolution, and the Snipping Tool's Perfect screenshot are stated to be available only on Copilot+ PCs. Improved Windows search and Click to Do require a PC that meets all Copilot+ hardware requirements. A further group, including Automatic super resolution, Paint's Generative fill, and Photos' Relight, is listed for Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon X series processors specifically. Features marked "preview" on the page, such as Recall, can change in availability.
Software that does not use these Windows features, such as a spreadsheet, a browser, or a cloud chatbot opened in a web page, runs on any PC that meets the baseline. The NPU matters mainly to apps and Windows components built to use it for local processing, and the page does not claim that a PC without one is unable to run AI tools.
Recall: what the privacy documentation states
Recall is the Copilot+ feature that saves periodic snapshots of the screen so that past activity can be searched. Microsoft's Recall privacy and control page states these points:
- Saving snapshots is off by default for each new user and begins only after setup.
- Snapshots and the associated data are stored locally on the device, are not sent to Microsoft or third parties, and cannot be read by other Windows users on the same PC.
- Snapshots and the related vector database are always encrypted, with keys protected by the TPM and tied to the user's Windows Hello identity.
- At least one biometric Windows Hello option must be enabled, and identity must be confirmed to open Recall.
- Filtering of sensitive information such as passwords, national ID numbers, and credit card numbers is on by default.
- Snapshots can be deleted at any time, and saving can be paused from the system tray icon.
These are the vendor's own statements, and this article did not test whether the filtering catches every sensitive item. Organizations with privacy duties, such as Canadian federal or provincial institutions or US employers, decide for themselves whether to allow such a feature.
Windows 10 PCs and the end of support
Microsoft's end-of-support page says Windows 10 stopped receiving software updates, security fixes, and technical support on October 14, 2025, though the PCs keep running. Consumers on version 22H2 can enroll in Extended Security Updates, which cover critical and important security fixes through October 12, 2027. The page lists three ways to enroll: syncing settings through Windows Backup at no extra cost, redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or paying a one-time USD 30 plus tax. A Microsoft account is required, and one license can cover up to 10 devices. Organization-managed devices are excluded from this consumer program.
Reading a "best software for Windows" list from 2021
A software list written in 2021 can be tested with four checks. Does the product still exist under the same name and owner? Does the vendor still publish a download or a current support page? Does the list say what data the software sends off the device? And does it state what the author did to test it? Lists that cannot answer these questions do not qualify as evidence of quality, and this article does not rank products for that reason.
FAQ
Does AI software need a Copilot+ PC?
No. Many AI tools run in a browser or in the cloud and work on any PC meeting the Windows 11 baseline. Only certain Windows features are limited to Copilot+ hardware.
What makes a PC a Copilot+ PC?
An NPU rated at 40+ TOPS, 16 GB of DDR5 or LPDDR5 memory, and a 256 GB SSD or UFS drive, on top of the Windows 11 minimums.
Is Recall turned on automatically?
Microsoft states it is off by default and saves nothing until a user completes setup.
Can a Windows 10 PC still be used?
It still starts and runs, but regular security updates ended on October 14, 2025 unless the PC is enrolled in Extended Security Updates or replaced.
Related reading
- The AI host process in Windows
- AI tools and workplace efficiency
- How AI can lower business costs
- AI and software development
More in AI Tools and Industry.
Last verified: October 2026
Sources
- Windows 11 specifications and requirements, Microsoft, read October 27, 2026
- Privacy and control over your Recall experience, Microsoft Support, read October 27, 2026
- End of support for Windows 10, Microsoft, read October 27, 2026